Japanese Someiyoshino Cherry Blossoms Officially in Bloom in Nagoya, Marking Earliest Opening on Record

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:41 JST, March 18, 2026

NAGOYA — Someiyoshino cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Nagoya, the city’s regional meteorological observatory announced on Tuesday. This marks the joint earliest bloom on record since 1953.

Meteorological observatory staff confirmed that five or more flowers opened on the specimen tree, which is used to determine when the cherry blossoms have blossomed.

The bloom is seven days earlier than average years, as well as nine days earlier than last year. The average temperature in February was 7.9 C, 2.4 C higher than normal, is believed to have prompted flowering.

Cherry blossoms could also already be seen in bloom at Tsuruma Park in the city.

“I’m looking forward to cherry blossom viewing,” said a visitor. “I hope the mild weather continues so that the blossoms will last longer.”